llewellyn



Sept. 3, 1935. L. LLEWELLYN WASHING APPARATUS FOR MINERALS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 13, 1952 IN VEN TOR.

ZZ BY 5am. 3, 1935. L. LLEWELLYN WASHING APPARATUS FOR MINERALS Filed May 13, 1932 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 $1 46 11v VENTOR. BY g '7 ATTORNEY.

Sept. 3, 1935. LLEWELLYN WASHING APPARATUS FOR MINERALS Filed May 13, 1932 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN VEN TOR A TTORNEY SEE. 3, 1935. L LLEWELLYN 2,913,41

WASHING APPARATUS Fofi MINERALS Filed May 13, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INV EN TOR.

- ATTORNEY N Y L L E w E L L L WASHING APPARATUS FOR MINERALS Filed May 13, 1932 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVEN TOR.

ATTORNEYI.

Patented Sept. 3, 1935 s'rrss A'EET QFFE'QE 8 Claims.

My invention relates to automatic washing apparatus for separating minerals, as coal, ore, etc. from associated refuse, foreign matter, or impurities such as slate, sulphur or the like. It has in View to provide a self-contained unit of single or plural operating compartments arranged within a water containing tank embodying means for intermittent upward pulsating currents of Water through a traveling body of mineral, for separation of the impurities by gravity; means for removing the washed coal; and means for removing the separated refuse as Well as deposited fines, sludge, or the like.

The apparatus provides for a regulated impulse flow of water upwardly through the mass by means of a special construction of vertically operating valved plunger; means for providing desired water circulation supplementing the water supply, with elimination of back suction; a non-variable positive pulsating motion of upward currents at every stroke of the plunger, greatly increasing the efiiciency and capacity of the washer; maximum capacity and efficient functioning at low power and minimum. cost of operation; automatic dis charge of refuse from the washer boxes; prevention of water contamination and constant supply of clean Washing water; avoidance of bjectionable plunger guides, and various other features of construction and advantage, as shall be more fully hereinafter described.

While the invention may be embodied in a single unit installation, it is preferably designed to utilize twin units, alternating in pulsation flow, in combination with a common water tank and sludge conveyor.

One preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a general plan View of the apparatus with portions of the operating mechanism in the separating chamber removed;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view on the broken line IIII of Fig. 1;

Fig. 2a is an enlarged section on the line lIa,IIa of Fig. 2;

Fig. 2b is a similar section on the line IIb-IIb of Fig. 2;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view on the line IIIIII of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a detail sectional view enlarged, showing the construction of the automatic refuse discharge gate for removal of separated material to the refuse conveyor;

Fig. 5 is a vertical section on the line V--V of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged plan view of one of the plunger valves;

Fig. 7 is a vertical section thereof on the line VII-VII of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view illus- 5 trating diagrammatically a modified construction and arrangement providing for a plural plunger installation;

Fig. 9 is a similar view showing a further modified construction. 10

The entire washing and removing elements of the installation are enclosed within a main tank consisting of opposite sides 2-2 and an inwardly sloping end wall 3 of plate metal, opposite ends 4, and inner sides 5 with an intervening clearance space beyond an inner end wall 40.. There is thus provided a pair of individual unitary washing compartments A, A, which extend backwardly to transverse middle partition walls 6, terminating at their upper edges below the normal water level a-a.

The entire tank construction as thus arranged is mounted on suitable structural supporting framework 1 and properly reinforced and braced as in such constructions, for suitable stability.

Each compartment A provides a self-contained Washing unit including a coal receiving chamber b above an inclined perforated bottom 8. Such bottom extends from the outer end of each chamber backwardly toward an automatic discharge gate 9 for periodically delivering separated refuse, as slate, etc. to a transverse conveyor NJ, as hereinafter described.

Coal or other mineral is delivered to the chamber b by means of a conveyor H of usual construction, actuated through chain or other gearing 12 and plunger actuating shaft 22 from speed reducer l3 of a motor M.

Each washing chamber A is provided with a vertically acting plunger Hi extending across the middle lower area portion of the chamber and hinged at its inner end, as at 15, as shown in Fig. 2. The plunger I4 is of a cross area adapting it to fit with free working clearance within the rectangular walls 2, 4i, 5, and 6 of the chamber and is of substantial thickness, preferably built of surfaced oak planks, thoroughly bolted together and reinforced with heavy steel plates. In its lowered position it preferably rests on oppositely arranged abutments, as angle irons I6 secured to the opposite side walls.

The plunger I4 is provided with transverse water circulating openings I! preferably lined with metal boxes I8 connected by bolts 19 having sleeve washers 20, on each set of which is mounted the freely opening and closing'valve 2 l. Such valves as shown are arranged closely adjacent to each other as in Fig. 1, of any desired number, as eight, so as to provide for ample upward. flow of water on downward movement of the plunger, with opening of the valves on downward movement and seating of the valves 2| on upward movement of the plunger, effecting complete closure against reverse flow.

Valves 2| are limited in their upward movement by the washers and nuts 22 of bolts l9, and the valves are preferably concaved at their side edges, as at 23, providing for ample water circulation clearance. The sleeve washers 20 are of suitable strength and construction to ensure stability and guiding action of the valves under all conditions.

The plunger is is actuated by a pitman 24 connected to the outer end of the plunger by a cross pin 25 and at its upper end to actuating crank 26 of shaft 2?, incorporated and forming a part of the general transmission gearing l2. Cranks 2% are preferably alternating in their arrangement and motion to provide for balancing reciprocation of the plungers at each side of the apparatus.

Discharge gate 9, at the inner end of screen 8, is hinged thereto as at 28, extending outwardly across the discharge opening 29 leading to conveyor id, and preferably provided with an arcu' ate guiding extension 30. When raised, it supports the burden of the slate or other impurities, and when lowered at an incline, discharges the same by gravity to the conveyor. For the purpose of overbalancing the gate 9, until it is sufficiently depressed by the accumulated slate to drop to discharging position, the gate is connected by a pitman to the end 32 of a balancing lever 33 I having an adjustable counterweight 34.

Lever 33 is connected with an electric thruster or magnet 35 controlled and energized by suitable electrical connections with gate 9, or contact mechanism thereon, so that when the gate drops to its lowest discharging position, the thruster or magnet will be energized and will quickly reverse lever 33 downwardly, closing the discharge gate to its raised normal position.

The counterweight 34 is adapted to be set to the proper position to permit accumulation of the desired weight of refuse on the gate and to effect its discharge, so that any practical predetermined thickness of water refuse beds may be maintained on the screen 8 and the discharge of excess refuse effected automatically as it accumulates.

The refuse passes to conveyor ill, of the spiral screw type, mounted in a shell or boot 36 leading through the outer wall 2 of the tank and discharging into the boot 3? of the refuse conveyor as. The refuse conveyor, which may be of the usual sprocket chain and flight construction, leads upwardly at an inclination beyond the water level, having the terminal sprockets or pulley 39 discharging the refuse outwardly and downwardly by conduit it to any suitable receptacle. I

The washed coal, in its progress along and through the upper portion of chamber 17, under the pulsating action of the upwardly moving intermittent currents, passes outwardly over the dicated somewhat diagrammatically in Fig. 1, but

consists of a series of chain actuated flights 43 passing around sprocket wheels as and 45, whereby the washed coal is transferred upwardly along an inclined bottom 45 and delivered by discharge conduit 4'! to a car or the like.

' the tank are inclined inwardly at the bottom by the sloping walls 43 for collecting any fine material in the longitudinally central trough portion 69, closed by the middle bottom wall 59. In the made from each opposite side, or in a single unit construction from one side only. In this manner a middle trough is provided in which is located the sludge conveyor 5|, consisting of a chain and flight construction adapted to slowly collect and scrape the sludge upwardly over the bottom by one or more scrapers conveyor are mounted to pass over a driving sprocket 53 and a tail sprocket 54', with ample looseness to allow for scraping collection at the bottom, such matter being finally discharged outwardly of the installation by chute 55. I V The several driving sprockets of the several refuse, washed coal, actuated at proper speed through chain or other drive gearing 56 from drive shaft 51 of speed reducer 58 actuated by motor M, as in Figs. 1 and 2.

Intervening between the main water containing tank and each of the chambers A, and mounted in the lower portion of partition walls 6 are the inwardly opening flap valves 59 hinged at 60..

By reason of its construction plunger it, being hinged at the inner end and with the maximum movement at its outer end provides for a grad ed water impulse of the greatest efficiency at the outer end of screen 6, gradually diminishing towards the other end during operation'of the plunger. By reason of such construction and operation the strongest impulse of water is at the outer end of the fresh charge of coal, providing for the most vigorous washing action, gradually lessening toward the inner end, where the separation from slate and other impurities is complete.

It will be understood that the entire washer tank system is provided with suitable clean-out valves for each separate washer compartment and thev refuse compartments and the separate set tling chamber compartment. These may be of any suitable type, enabling the apparatus to be cleaned from time to time otherwise than by the continuously operated means above described.

Beyond the plunger compartments it will be ob-,

The chains of such and sludge conveyors are double unit construction such collection will be served that the main tank constitutes an overflow compartment in which the main body of washing water is contained in a comparatively still or quiescent condition, permitting precipitation to the bottom of any fine material, so

' that the inflow of water through valves 59 is maintained comparatively clean at all times.

Extending laterally of the main tank is an overflow tank extension 6| at one or both sides, communicating with the interior of the main tank at its end through opening 62 beyond the transverse barrier partition 63. Said barrier ordinarily terminates at the normal water line ca and extends downwardly and inwardly across the tank between the opposite side walls 22 above the lower strands of sludge conveyor 5i. As shown, there is ample clearance between the barrier and the sloping wall 3. It terminates above the bottom, leaving circulation space 64 for the upwardly moving lower strand and provides open water communication between the conveyor path and the main interior of the tank.

Partition 63 is preferably provided with an upper terminal 63a vertically adjustable as by slot and bolt connection 63b, to vary the overflow level when desired.

By the construction and operation of the plunger I4 and the valves 2| thereof, opening to allow only the proper amount of water to flow through the plunger valve openings I"! and underneath the washer boxes, all back suction is eliminated. The washers act as pumps to supply themselves with water at each upward stroke of the plunger through valve boxes 59a from the body of quiescent water beyond the valves 59, with avoidance of objectionable back currents.

It will be understood that the top of the washer tank is provided with the necessary working platforms and subway gratings 65, hand rails 66, or various other safety or necessary attachments facilitating the operation of the entire plant.

In Fig. 8 I show a modified construction in which the plungers Mb are mounted in the same general manner as first described, having the series of opening and closing valves, actuated by pitman 24b from shaft 21b and with relation to the inclined perforated bottom 8b. The plunger and washing compartments are generally similar to those shown and described in the main construction, except that they are in plural arrangement, having the overflow abutments Mb, discharge gates 9b, conveyors I0b delivering into the laterally arranged elevator, like element 38.

Washing water flows from chamber B through channel b upwardly through ports Bib, opened by valves 5% for supply, upon upward movement of the plungers Mb, the operation being as before described. The apparatus is likewise equipped with washed coal conveyor 42b and sludge conveyor 5 lb constructed and operating inthe same general manner to effect removal of the several accumulations from the apparatus.

In Fig. 9 I show a further modification somewhat diagrammatically illustrating the use of a plurality of plungers Me which are pivotally mounted at I midway of their length, and adapted to oscillate at each side of such pivotal mounting by actuation of pitman 24c and crank shaft 210. Plunger I40 as thus mounted operates at each side of its pivotal mounting I5c with re.- lation to a pair of mineral compartments cc,- each having a screen bottom 80.

Each of such perforated bottoms 8c is generally similar to the construction above described, delivering separated refuse to conveyor [0c by intermittent opening of the discharge gate 90.

The upper burden of coal passes from the first compartment cc over an elevated abutment llc to the next compartment cc, and so on through the series including the second extension plunger I40, finally discharging to the coal conveyor 420 for delivery outwardly as described.

The overflow water in the main tank compartment B" passes through channel 0 and upwardly through ports 6 I c controlled by flap valves 59c, opening under pumping action of one side or the other of plunger Me, throughout its alternating movement.

Each particular washing chamber and its operating side of the plunger, at one side and the other of the pivotal mounting He is divided from the next adjacent plunger and washer cavity by a vertical partition So, either continuous or interrupted as shown.

It will be understood that the several conveyors.

lBc discharge into a refuse conveyor like conveyor 38, beyond the side wall or walls, and that any accumulated sludge is carried ofi from the bottom of the main tank interior B" by conveyor 5lc with its flights 52c and sprockets 53c and 540, as will be readily understood.

The advantage of the modified construction of Figs. 8 and 9 just described is in effecting a series of washing and re-washing operations in a single plant so as to more completely effect separation of impurities with resulting specially cleaned washed mineral. This is accomplished by such repetition of the initial treatment, given by the impulse of the plunger upwardly against and through the perforated bottom of the ordinary single compartment.

While eificient and satisfactory results may be secured by the single compartment unit, certain conditions as to the particular coal or other mineral being treated may involve the necessity or desirability of such additional one or more rewashing operations, dependent upon the character and condition of the mineral being operated on.

The construction and operation of the washer of either form as above described will be readily understood and appreciated by all those familiar with coal or other mineral washing apparatus and practice. It efiects prompt and efilcient separation of the heavier impurities in a rapid, eflicient manner, with satisfactory elimination of all waste material, while maintaining an ample body of quiescent practically clean water for supply to the bed-supporting screen.

It is comparatively simple and cheap in construction, and operable without the necessity of skilled labor, at low cost. Any worn parts are easily and readily replaced, and the installation may be built in any suitable size or capacity, dependent on the requirements of the user, or may be modified in various details by the skilled mechanic to adapt it to the treatment of minerals of various kinds, within the scope of the following claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a coal washer, a rectangular compart- -ment provided with vertical walls, an inclined screen in the upper portion of the compartment. provided with an upwardly and downwardly movable discharge gate, a superimposed lever provided with an adjustable counterweight, a pitman connecting the lever with the discharge gate, and an electrically actuated thruster engaging the lever for quick return thereof and closing of the discharge gate.

2. In combination with the inclined screen of .a coal washer and means for imparting an upward current of water therethrough, a pivotally connected discharge gate at the lower portion of the screen having a downwardly extending arouate guide, a conveyor forcarrying off discharge material released by said. gate, an actuating pitman connected to and extending upwardly from the gate, an operating lever connected with said pitman-and provided with an adjustable counterweight, and an electrically actuated thruster connected with and operable to reverse the lever.

upon being energized when the discharge gate is lowered.

3. In apparatus for washing minerals, a main water containing casing enclosing a middle longitudinal sludge elevator, sloping walls leading from the opposite sides of the casing towards the sludge elevator, a washed mineral elevator at each side of the sludge elevator leading from below the water level outwardly above the casing, a washing compartment longitudinally beyond each side elevator anddelivering thereinto, means in said compartments for separating an upper stratum of washedmineral from a lower. stratum of refuse, a counterweighted pivoted gate for discharging a portion of refuse, a quick acting thrustor for closing the gate'and a transverse refuse conveyor leading laterally through each opposite wall of the casing to a refuse elevator, said elevators being located outwardly beyond the sides of the main casing and leading from below the water level outwardly above the casing.

4. Apparatus for washing minerals provided with an enclosed water containing compartment having an upper submerged inclined screen, means delivering raw mineral to the upper re- 'ceiving end of the screen, a discharge gate at the opposite lower delivery end of the screen, counterbalanoing means for closing the discharge gate subject to opening refuse pressure thereon, a

quickly acting thruster connected with said means effecting prompt closing of the gate after each discharge opening thereof, a refuse conveyor leading therefrom, an overflow abutment upwardly beyond the screen having a downwardly sloping face extending over the refuse conveyor, a conveyor for washed mineral beyond said abutment and its sloping face, a reciprocable valved plunger pivotally mounted below one end of the screen andhaving increasing'vertical movement each discharge opening thereof, means delivering raw mineral to the upper end of the screen, a refuse conveyor beyond the tank for matter passing the discharge gate, a terminal abutment above the discharge gate havinga downwardly inclined delivery section over the refuse conveyor for overflow of washed mineral, a discharge conveyor therefor, a. horizontally arrangedreciprocable valved plunger pivotally mounted below the refuse conveyor and having increasing vertical movement towards its other end, actuating means therefor, and a valve-controlled water circulation conduit leading from the main tank into the compartment below the plunger.

6. Apparatus for washing mineral comprising a main tank provided with an enclosed compartment below the normal water level of the tank, a submerged inclined screen therein provided with a refuse discharge gate at its lower end, counterbalancing means for closing the discharge gate subject to'opening refuse pressure thereon, aquick acting thruster connected with said means effecting prompt closing of the gate after each dischargeopening thereof, means delivering raw mineral to the upper, end of the screen, a laterally arranged refuse conveyor for matter passing the discharge gate, a terminal abutment above the discharge gate for overflowof washed mineral, a discharge conveyor therefor extending upwardly through and beyond the main tank having discharge perforations for, delivery of water and fines to the tank, a reciprocable valved plunger below the screen, actuating means therefor, a valve-controlled water circulation conduit leading into the compartment from the main tank below the plunger, and a sludge conveyor,

oted plunger below the screen having transverse V valve controlled openings therethrough, means imparting maximum reciprocating movement to the free end of the plunger below the screen, and valvecontrolled water circulation conduits lead ing into the compartment below the plunger.

' 8. Apparatus for washing minerals provided with an enclosed compartment having an upper inclined 'screen' portion and an extended discharge gate, means closing the discharge gate against predetermined gravitation of separated refuse and subject to opening movement by excess=pressure thereof, means normally holding the discharge'gate closed subject to such excess pressure, a quickly acting thruster connected with said means eifecting prompt closing of the gate after each discharge opening thereof, a transverseplunger having a pivotal mounting at one end materially beyond the enclosed compartment space and provided with transverse valve controlled openings therethrough, means connected with the free end portion of the plunger imparting maximum reciprocating movement thereto below the screen, and valve controlled.

water circulation conduits leading into the compartment below the plunger.

' LEE LLEWELLYN'; 

